Inventions & Breakthroughs of November 1983
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Cellular Telephone Commercial Launch
2 
Domain Name System (DNS)
3 
Personal Computer Mouse
4 
Compact Disc-ROM
5 
Artificial Intelligence Expert Systems
6 
Global Positioning System Deployment
7 
Portable CD Player (Discman)
8 
Medical Laser Eye Surgery
9 
Computer-Aided Drug Design
10 
Electronic Trading Systems
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON November 10, 1983
Full News Archive
- Headline: The Evolution of Picture Lighting. Impact: The rise of unobtrusive lighting led to a boom in home decorators who thought they were Michelangelo. In the future, we have entire museums dedicated to showcasing the art of lighting a painting... or just really bad selfies in poorly lit rooms.. Fact: Fun fact: Before picture lights, people just used flash photography, resulting in many paintings mysteriously losing their charm. Thanks, technology!.
- Headline: O'Rourke's Election and Future Administration Plans. Impact: O'Rourke's decision to shake hands post-victory set a precedent that would lead to an overwhelming number of awkward public interactions, influencing future politicians to adopt the 'awkward handshake' as a standard greeting. The future is grim.. Fact: Did you know that politicians shaking hands is just a front for their secret handshake club? They just can’t resist a good ritual!.
- Headline: DISCOUNT STORES SAY ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT IS LAX. Impact: The antitrust complaints sparked a wave of legal discussions that would lead to a reality TV show about discount store wars, turning economic grievances into prime-time drama. Who needs law and order when you have discount chaos?. Fact: Did you know that the real crime is how many times we have to listen to corporate spokespeople complain? They should really just start a podcast!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1983, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #2
WMT
Walmart
Price in 1983
$0.15
2025 dataset value
$784,047
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1983, it would be worth $784,047 today (784.0x return)
Rank #3
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1983
$1.11
2025 dataset value
$188,194
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1983, it would be worth $188,194 today (188.2x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
The New Teen Titans #1
$150
Saga of the Swamp Thing #20
$50
Detective Comics #526
$15
Thor #337
$50
Miracleman #2
$1,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Cabbage Patch Kids
$150.00
My Little Pony
$150.00
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
$150.00
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
$175.00
Star Wars Return of the Jedi Action Figures
$150.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Mario Bros.
$600.00
Dragon'S Lair
$200.00
M.U.L.E.
$182.44
Lode Runner
$115.00
Tapper
$150.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1983 Topps Baseball Tony Gwynn Rookie Card
$2,500
1983 Topps Baseball Ryne Sandberg Rookie Card
$1,560.00
1983 Topps Baseball Wade Boggs Rookie Card
$1,500
1983 O-Pee-Chee Wrestling Hulk Hogan Card
$1,000
1983 Donruss Baseball Three’s Company - Ripken, Hrabosky, And Fingers (Card #654)
Unknown